I’m a Gay Wizard

Johnny and Alison are bully bait at their Chicago high school, where he’s gay, and she’s a trans goth. But after they experiment with protective magic, they are “extracted” and brought to a wizard academy. This is no Hogwarts, though: it’s essentially a prison, and the two teens quickly start to concoct escape plans, despite the formidable obstacles, including monsters. Meanwhile, Johnny falls for fellow student Hunter, who seems to return his interest, even as he insists that he’s straight. Debut author Santoni’s alternate universe is carefully detailed, but his characters are less developed. Johnny’s first-person narration allows readers to know him well, but Alison is stuck in snarky sidekick mode, and Hunter is a titch perfect: gorgeous, loyal, strong, and kind. In addition, contrivances weaken the plot: whenever Johnny and his team need a clue, it’s given to them; when they need a spell, it’s in a book they happen to have. Santoni’s refreshingly LGBTQ wizard world is made up of haves and have-nots, and a war for liberation is surely brewing, suggesting that a sequel may be forthcoming. Perhaps Johnny’s friends will receive fuller treatment in future volumes. Ages 14–up. [em](Oct.) [/em]